Plugged in to growth: How Pirelli built its leading role in Global Electric Vehicles Race

Plugged in to growth: How Pirelli built its leading role in Global Electric Vehicles Race

August 13, 2018

Automotive manufacturers in every corner of the industry are embracing the future – because when it comes to Electric Vehicles (EVs), the future is now.

According to the "Global Electric Vehicle Market Outlook 2018" report released by Frost & Sullivan, global EV sales are expected to grow from 1.2 million in 2017 to 1.6 million in 2018, and upwards again to an estimated 2 million in 2019.

Providing the finest quality and tailor-made tyres, Pirelli supports the most prestigious automotive names in the market to stay ahead of the curve and provide added value to its customers.

With manufacturers and consumers both prioritising a high driving performance across EV options, Pirelli is developing technical solutions for premium car manufacturers and new entries in the market. In the last three years alone, Pirelli has achieved 19 homologated IP Codes exclusively developed for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), in addition to 22 homologated IP Codes for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).

The inert uniqueness of EVs has major knock-on effects in the development of ad hoc tyres that must be reverse-engineered to be efficiency-oriented. Therefore, the new-breed tyres must satisfy a specific set of technical requirements in areas such as:

Rolling resistance – to minimise premature battery consumption, Pirelli’s EV tyres offer a perfect balance between ultra-low rolling resistance and the ability to sustain a superior weight due to the weight of the batteries

Higher acceleration – with the wide torque force of electric motors, especially at low engine RPM, meaning tyres must bear much higher acceleration, Pirelli’s EV tyres are designed to maximise grip and withstand high stress from strong accelerations and torque force.

Interior and exteriornoise – to control and minimise noise, Pirelli has modified tread patterns, block sizes and groove widths in EV tyres, as evidenced by the excellent competence and success of the Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS).

With prestigious premium manufacturers enriching their ranges by adding high performance EVs, Pirelli’s position as a world-class OEM remains core to manufacturers’ plans. Indeed, Pirelli has extended its partnerships with established car makers such as Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes, Porsche and Volvo to co-develop and maximise performance as manufacturers launch electric versions of their popular models.

Whether customers are picking up a Jaguar I-Pace or Mercedes GLC, both Full Electric Vehicles (FEVs) are already homologated with Pirelli. In the hybrid segment, Pirelli’s homologated tyres are fitted on new vehicles including the Audi A3 and Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes CLS, E Class and E Class Coupè and Volvo S90, V90, S60 and XC90.

The same is true of new, innovative start-ups entering the market. Starting from 2020, new EVs will hit the global market with specific sport performance vehicles and premium comfort cars for everyday use. The primary manufacturers expected to increase their market share in coming years are Event, Karma and Rimac – all of which have already started partnerships with Pirelli because they recognise the value of our development expertise in designing advanced technical solutions for EVs.

As the EV market continues to grow, Pirelli is committed to playing a leading role. By assuring manufacturers of technical competences and market coverage, Pirelli’s capacity to co-develop EV tyres dedicated to both top performance and efficiency underlines the company’s enduring value in this new disruptive segment.